US20230249932A1 - Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material - Google Patents

Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20230249932A1
US20230249932A1 US18/135,440 US202318135440A US2023249932A1 US 20230249932 A1 US20230249932 A1 US 20230249932A1 US 202318135440 A US202318135440 A US 202318135440A US 2023249932 A1 US2023249932 A1 US 2023249932A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
sheet material
carrier
pins
lever
dispensing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US18/135,440
Other versions
US12024380B2 (en
Inventor
Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US18/135,440 priority Critical patent/US12024380B2/en
Publication of US20230249932A1 publication Critical patent/US20230249932A1/en
Priority to US18/733,021 priority patent/US20240317523A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US12024380B2 publication Critical patent/US12024380B2/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H16/00Unwinding, paying-out webs
    • B65H16/005Dispensers, i.e. machines for unwinding only parts of web roll
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47KSANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K10/34Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means
    • A47K10/38Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper dispensing from a web, e.g. with mechanical dispensing means the web being rolled up with or without tearing edge
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H16/00Unwinding, paying-out webs
    • B65H16/02Supporting web roll
    • B65H16/021Multiple web roll supports
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47KSANITARY EQUIPMENT NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; TOILET ACCESSORIES
    • A47K10/00Body-drying implements; Toilet paper; Holders therefor
    • A47K10/24Towel dispensers, e.g. for piled-up or folded textile towels; Toilet-paper dispensers; Dispensers for piled-up or folded textile towels provided or not with devices for taking-up soiled towels as far as not mechanically driven
    • A47K10/32Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper
    • A47K2010/3253Dispensers for paper towels or toilet-paper with one or more reserve rolls
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2301/00Handling processes for sheets or webs
    • B65H2301/40Type of handling process
    • B65H2301/41Winding, unwinding
    • B65H2301/412Roll
    • B65H2301/4128Multiple rolls
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2402/00Constructional details of the handling apparatus
    • B65H2402/40Details of frames, housings or mountings of the whole handling apparatus
    • B65H2402/46Table apparatus
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2402/00Constructional details of the handling apparatus
    • B65H2402/50Machine elements
    • B65H2402/54Springs, e.g. helical or leaf springs
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2403/00Power transmission; Driving means
    • B65H2403/50Driving mechanisms
    • B65H2403/51Cam mechanisms
    • B65H2403/513Cam mechanisms involving elongated cam, i.e. parallel to linear transport path
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65HHANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
    • B65H2701/00Handled material; Storage means
    • B65H2701/10Handled articles or webs
    • B65H2701/11Dimensional aspect of article or web
    • B65H2701/113Size
    • B65H2701/1133Size of webs
    • B65H2701/11332Size of webs strip, tape, narrow web

Definitions

  • the present disclosure generally relates to dispensing assemblies and, more particularly, to dispensing assemblies for flexible sheet materials, such as paper products, e.g., tissue paper, paper towels, etc. Other aspects are also described.
  • Sheet material dispensers are commonly used throughout various facilities, including restrooms or other area in hospitals, airports, bus stations, schools, etc.
  • Such dispensers can include multiple supplies of sheet material and can be configured so that after one of the supplies of sheet material has been substantially exhausted or dispensed, an additional supply of the supplies of sheet material can be made available for further dispensing.
  • attempts are often made to improperly access or steal the supplies of sheet material from these dispensers or to otherwise tamper with or vandalize the dispensers. This can lead to increased paper supply costs and, in many instances, result in significant damage to the dispensers or components thereof.
  • the present disclosure is directed to a sheet material dispensing assembly for dispensing a plurality of supplies of sheet material.
  • the sheet material dispensing assembly can include a dispenser housing that supports the supplies of sheet material and that defines one or more compartments configured to receive and house the supplies of sheet material.
  • the supplies of sheet material can include rolled paper products, such as rolled tissue paper, paper towel rolls, etc. or other suitable supplies of sheet material.
  • the dispenser housing also includes one or more discharge openings sized, dimensioned, or otherwise configured to provide or otherwise allow access to one or more of the plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material (e.g., access that allows users to pull or otherwise engage sheet material from one of the supplies for dispensing thereof).
  • the dispenser assembly further includes one or more brackets or carriers having a plurality of spindles or supports (e.g., a pair of spaced apart spindles) that receive and support a corresponding supply of sheet material within the one or more compartments of the dispenser housing.
  • a plurality of spindles or supports e.g., a pair of spaced apart spindles
  • the dispenser assembly can include a plurality of carriers that can be arranged in a spaced and/or segmented series along the dispenser housing.
  • the carriers can shift/move along the carrier tracks from the first dispensing position to the second dispensing position to allow user access to the second supply of rolled sheet material through the discharge opening(s) in the dispenser housing.
  • the dispenser assembly includes a carrier pivoting assembly rotatably connected to its carrier.
  • Each pivoting assembly has a pivotable lever or frame moveably mounted to its associated carrier, enabling rotation or pivoting movement, and configured to engage one of the supplies of sheet material, e.g., the first supply supported by the carrier, such that the frame rotates/pivots as the first supply of sheet material is dispensed.
  • the lever engaging the first supply of sheet material pivots, rotates, or otherwise moves therewith.
  • the pins can be connected to one end of the lever, and the pins can be positioned so as to be substantially coaxial in a spaced, opposing orientation or relationship and further can be biased by one or more biasing members (e.g., a tension spring or other suitable biasing member) that are attached to opposing ends of the pins.
  • biasing members e.g., a tension spring or other suitable biasing member
  • the guidance features can include corresponding guide surfaces provided along at least a portion of the frame and a body of the pins.
  • the guide surfaces can be angled and generally complementary to one another such that as the lever is rotated the guide surfaces move in relation to each other to enable the biased pins to retract under the urging of the biasing member.
  • the lever or frame further can include a roller rotatably attached thereto that is configured to engage the first supply of sheet material, with the carrier in that first dispensing position.
  • the locking features can include a base portion that is secured to the dispenser housing along the track, a flexible elongated portion connected to the base portion at one end of the elongated portion, and a tab portion connected to the elongated portion at an opposing end of the elongated portion.
  • the tab portion can be configured to engage a corresponding biased pin of the plurality of biased pins.
  • the locking features can include a flexible elongated portion that is integrally formed with a wall of the track and positioned within an opening defined there include, and a tab potion connected to the elongated portion that is configured to engage a corresponding biased pin.
  • the track can include a track offset that moves the second supply of sheet material towards the one or more discharge openings when the carrier is moved towards and/or to the second dispensing position.
  • the dispenser housing can include a cover and the track can be defined within the cover.
  • the track can be defined in a separate component connected to or otherwise formed with the dispenser housing.
  • FIG. 1 shows a front view of a sheet material dispensing assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 show perspective views of the sheet material dispensing assembly according to FIG. 1 , with the housing of the dispenser assembly shown in dashed lines.
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a pivoting assembly for the sheet material dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 , with its pins in an extended position.
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the pivoting assembly for the dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 , with the pins in a retracted position.
  • FIGS. 6 A- 6 D show perspective views of the carrier moving between a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position.
  • FIG. 7 shows perspective and partial perspective views of the rotatable frame according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 8 shows a partial, perspective view of a pin according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a pin according to one additional aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 10 A- 10 B show perspective views of locking features according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of locking features according to one additional aspect of the present disclosure.
  • the dispenser assembly 10 includes a dispenser housing 14 having one or more chambers or compartments 16 defined therein for receiving a plurality of supplies 12 of sheet material.
  • the dispenser housing 14 also can include a base or back portion 20 that can be configured to facilitate mounting of the dispensing assembly 10 to a surface, such as to a wall or other suitable support (e.g., along a wall in a bathroom, a portion of a bathroom stall, or other suitable location).
  • a moveable cover 22 can be coupled to the base 20 , including being detachably coupled (e.g., by snap fittings, fasteners, etc.) and/or can be rotatably mounted to the base 20 , such as by one or more hinges 23 to facilitate opening and closing of the cover 22 , as shown in FIGS. 1 - 3 .
  • the cover 22 is moveable to an open position or can be removed, as needed, to facilitate access to the chamber 16 within the interior of the dispenser housing for loading and unloading of the new and exhausted supplies 12 of sheet material within the chamber 16 .
  • the dispenser housing 14 generally can be formed from plastic materials, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS), polyoxymethylene (“POM”), etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, etc., or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • ABS acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
  • POM polyoxymethylene
  • the sheet material can be perforated or precut to facilitate tearing or detachment of selected amounts thereof, though the sheet material can be substantially continuous, i.e., not perforated or precut, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • the dispenser assembly 10 also can include a cutting mechanism, e.g., a jagged edge or blade(s), disposed along the opening(s) 24 to facilitate tearing or detachment of selected amounts of sheet material.
  • the dispenser assembly 10 includes one or more carriers or brackets 30 configured to support the plurality of supplies 12 of sheet material within the dispenser housing 14 .
  • FIGS. 1 - 3 show that the dispenser assembly 10 includes at least a first carrier 32 and a second carrier 34 , e.g., that are arranged in spaced series within the dispenser housing 14 , though any number of carriers 30 can be used, e.g., one or more than two, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 4 - 5 show perspective views of the carriers 30 according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
  • each carrier 30 has a pair of spaced spindle holders 36 including a first, lower spindle holder 36 A and a second, upper spindle holder 36 B, and a pair of opposing side rails or supports 38 and 40 connected to and supporting the spindle holders 36 A/ 36 B.
  • the carriers 30 also include a cross-support or member 42 extending between and connecting the opposing side rails 38 and 40 , e.g., to provide a generally H-shaped configuration, though other shapes or configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • the carriers 30 can hold multiple supplies of sheet material and generally are formed from a plastic material, such as ABS, POM, etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • a plastic material such as ABS, POM, etc.
  • suitable materials e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • the first, lower spindle holder 36 A generally is disposed at, or substantially adjacent to, a first, lower end 38 A/ 40 A of the side rails 38 / 40
  • the second, upper spindle holder 36 B is disposed at, or substantially adjacent to, a second, upper end 38 B/ 40 B of the side rails 38 / 40
  • Each of the spindle holders 36 rotatably supports a respective supply of sheet material 12 .
  • each supply of sheet material 12 includes a prescribed amount of sheet material wrapped about a spindle 44 receives a corresponding spindle holder 36 .
  • each spindle 44 can have a bore 46 defined therethrough that is sized, dimensioned, and/or configured to receive a spindle holder 36 , such that the spindle 44 and its wrapped supply of sheet material are supported by and rotatable with the spindle holder 36 ( FIGS. 4 - 5 ).
  • FIGS. 4 - 5 show at least one of the side rails 38 / 40 of the carriers 30 including movable or removable portions or sections 48 that can help facilitate the loading/unloading of the supplies of sheet material 18 to and from the spindle holders 36 .
  • the side rail 38 includes portions 48 that are pivotally or rotatably mounted to the carrier 30 , e.g., by one or more hinges 50 or other suitable rotatable/pivotable connection mechanisms.
  • the pivoting portions 48 further will be connected to the spindle holders 36 by a snap fitting, frictional fit, or other releasable connection.
  • the pivoting portions 48 can be disconnected from the spindle holders 36 and pivoted/rotated to facilitate loading of new supplies of rolled sheet material and unloading of dispensed/depleted supplies of rolled sheet materials.
  • the opposing side rail 40 can include one or more pivoting or rotating portions 48 that facilitate loading/unloading of the supplies 12 of sheet material.
  • the side rails 38 / 40 can include portions that are completely removable from the spindle holders 36 to facilitate loading/unloading of supplies of sheet material.
  • the dispenser assembly 10 further includes tracks 60 , e.g., including slots, channels, etc., defined within the cover 22 and/or the dispenser housing 14 .
  • These tracks 60 generally are configured to receive and guide movement of the carriers 30 between first and second positions.
  • the tracks 60 can be defined in separate members or parts 62 that can be attached to one or more components of the dispenser housing, e.g., the base 20 , cover 22 , or other suitable component or combinations thereof ( FIGS. 6 A- 6 D ).
  • the side portions 38 / 40 of the carriers 30 can have guides or projections 64 that are received within and ride along the tracks 60 .
  • the guides 64 have a generally cylindrical shape with a channel or notch 65 defined therethrough, though other shapes or configurations, e.g., spherical, cubic, etc., are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • the channel 65 generally allows for movement of the guides 64 over locking features 86 provided along the tracks 60 , as discussed further below.
  • FIGS. 6 A- 6 D illustrate movement of the carrier 30 between various positions.
  • the carriers 30 are moveable along the tracks 60 from a first dispensing position shown at 66 ( FIG. 6 A-B ), which can provide access to a first, lower supply 12 A of sheet material 12 and can substantially reduce, prevent, or inhibit access to a second, upper supply 12 B of sheet material, to a second dispensing position, shown at 68 ( FIG. 6 C-D ), which provides access to the second, upper supply 12 B of sheet material.
  • the carrier 30 shifts or moves along the track 60 from the first dispensing position 66 toward the second dispensing position 66 , as shown in FIG. 6 C , to provide of otherwise allow access to the second, upper supply 12 B of sheet material through the opening 24 for dispensing thereof.
  • the tracks 60 are shown to have an offset or angled portion 70 at a lower end 70 A.
  • This offset portion 70 is configured to move or shift the carrier 30 as it moves along the tracks, such that the second, upper supply 12 B of sheet material is moved toward and positioned sufficiently adjacent to the opening(s) 24 to facilitate access thereto in the second dispensing position 68 ( FIGS. 4 - 5 ).
  • the offset 70 further can help to reduce the overall dimensions (e.g., the height) or size footprint of the dispenser housing 14 .
  • the tracks 60 can have any suitable construction or configuration, however, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, e.g., in alternatives construction, the tracks 60 can be generally straight from end to end, as indicated in FIGS. 6 A- 6 D .
  • the dispenser assembly 10 also includes a carrier pivoting assembly 80 associated with each carrier 30 (e.g., in FIG. 1 , a pair of carriers 30 are shown, each with a carrier pivoting assembly 80 associated therewith).
  • the pivoting assembly 80 includes pivotable or rotatable levers or frames 81 moveably mounted to each carrier 30 and configured to engage the first supply 12 A of sheet material.
  • the lever 81 rotates/pivots as a first, lower supply 12 A of sheet material is dispensed, i.e., as the diameter of the supply 12 A is diminished or reduced during such dispensing.
  • the pivoting assembly 80 additionally includes a pair of pins or rods 82 attached to or otherwise in communication with the lever 81 , for operatively connecting the lever 81 to the carrier 30 ( FIGS. 1 - 5 , 7 - 9 , and 10 A- 10 B ).
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective views of the pins 82 according to various aspects of the present disclosures.
  • the pins 82 have a generally cylindrical body 83 , and move laterally with rotation/pivoting of the lever 81 so as to move between an extended position 84 , in which the pins 82 engage corresponding locking features 86 (e.g., hooks, protrusions, tabs, recesses, etc.) arranged along the tracks 60 to hold/support the carriers 30 in the first dispensing position 66 , and a retracted position 88 , in which the pins 82 are moved out of engagement with the locking features 86 to enable the carrier 30 to move along the tracks 60 to the second dispensing position 68 , as generally shown in FIGS. 4 - 5 and 10 A- 10 B .
  • locking features 86 e.g., hooks, protrusions, tabs, recesses, etc.
  • the pins 82 are caused to move from their extended positions 84 toward their retracted positions 88 , and when the first supply 12 A of sheet material is substantially dispensed/exhausted to the desired extent, the pins 82 disengage the locking features 86 to allow the carrier 30 to move/slide, under its own weight (and/or together with that of the upper supply roll 12 B), along the track 60 from the first dispensing position 66 to the second dispensing position 68 .
  • the cross-support 42 of carrier 30 generally will include one or more walls, flanges, or partitions 90 , or other suitable portions, that facilitate attachment of the pins 82 to the carrier 30 .
  • These walls or flanges 90 each can have openings or passages 92 defined therethrough for receiving at least a portion (e.g., an end portion 82 B) of the pins 82 , with an opposite portion of each pin 82 (e.g., an end portion 82 A) further being received within a corresponding opening or passage 94 defined through the sidewall 38 / 40 of the carrier to couple each pin 82 and the pivoting assembly 80 to the carrier 30 .
  • the pins 82 thus are arranged to be on a coaxial, in a spaced-part, opposing relationship/orientation, as FIGS. 5 and 7 generally indicate.
  • FIGS. 4 - 5 , 7 - 9 and 10 A- 10 B show the pins 82 including locating tabs 96 projecting from the body 83 of each pins 82 and disposed along, or substantially adjacent the first end portion 82 A of the pins 82 .
  • the locating tabs 96 can include a generally rectangular body 97 , though other shapes are possible, and will be configured to be received within complementary slots or grooves 98 defined in the side rails 38 / 40 .
  • the slots 98 are in communication with the openings 94 to help locate and guide the pins 82 in and out from the openings 94 ( FIGS. 4 , 5 , 10 A, and 10 B ).
  • the pins 82 further are connected to one or more biasing members 100 , such as one or more tension springs or other suitable biasing members.
  • the pins 80 are urged by the biasing member(s) 100 toward their retracted positions 88 .
  • the walls 90 further can engage at least a portion of the pins 82 (e.g., end portion 82 B) to help to reduce, prevent, or inhibit bending, buckling, or other unwanted side-to-side movement of the pins 82 .
  • FIGS. 1 - 7 further illustrate that the lever 81 includes side portions or sections 102 rotatably, pivotally, or otherwise movably coupled to the pins 82 at a first end 102 A thereof and also coupled to and supporting a roller 104 at a second end 90 B thereof.
  • the roller 104 is rotatably coupled to the side portions 102 of the lever, e.g., by bearings, bushings, etc., and is configured to engage the first, lower supply 12 A of sheet material ( FIG. 2 ), such that the roller 92 rotates as the first, lower supply 12 A of sheet material is rotated during dispensing (e.g., when a user engages a pulls sheet material from the supply 12 A).
  • the pins 82 include one or more guidance features 110 that engage or otherwise interact with corresponding guidance features 112 arranged along the lever 81 to guide or allow movement of the pins 82 between their extended 84 and retracted 88 positions as the lever 81 is pivoted/rotated during dispensing of the first, lower supply 12 A of sheet material.
  • the guidance features 110 / 112 interact to cause or allow the pins 82 to be retracted under the urging or force of the biasing member 100 to move the pins toward their retracted position 88 and disengage from the locking features 86 defined along the track 60 .
  • This in turn enables the carrier 30 to move (e.g., under its own weight and the weight of the second supply 12 B) the second supply 12 B to the second position 68 for dispensing sheets therefrom.
  • the guidance features 110 include slanted or angled guide surfaces or faces 114 defined along the body 83 of the pins 82
  • the guidance features 112 include corresponding, complementary guide surfaces 116 defined along the first end 102 A of the side portions 102 .
  • These guide surfaces 114 / 116 generally are shaped, sized, or otherwise configured to guide movement of the pins 82 (e.g., under urging of the biasing member) towards their retracted position 88 .
  • the guide surfaces 116 of the pins 82 are moved along or otherwise in relation the guide surfaces 114 of the lever 81 to enabling the pins 82 to be moved under urging of the biasing member 100 toward their retracted position 88 .
  • the guidance features 110 / 112 can include a helical slot or recess 115 defined along each pin, and a corresponding tab or other suitable protruding portion (not shown) along the end 102 A of side portion 102 of the lever 81 .
  • This helical slot 115 can be selectively engaged by the tab to allow the pins to move under the force of the biasing member from the extended or retracted position to the second position.
  • the body 83 of the pins 82 includes a generally cylindrical sidewall 120 with one or more reduced area or recessed portions 122 defined therein that form or otherwise define the guide surfaces 114 .
  • the second end 102 A of the side portion 102 of the lever 81 also can include a cylindrical projection 124 , with an end portion 124 A that is angled or offset to define the guide surfaces 116 .
  • the cylindrical projection 124 also can include a passage/hole 126 in which the body 83 of a pin 82 can be at least partially received.
  • the recessed area 122 of the body 83 of each pins 82 is received within a hole or passage 126 to enable the lever 81 to be rotatable about the pins 82 .
  • the pins 82 generally are attached to the lever 81 in an aligned, substantially coaxial, spaced apart, opposing relationship/orientation.
  • the pins 82 further are operatively connected and biased towards each other by the biasing member 100 .
  • the second end portion 82 B of each pin 82 includes a hook 130 that engages a hooped or hooked end 100 A of the biasing member 100 .
  • the second ends 82 B of the pins 82 can have an opening or passage 132 defined therethrough and configured to engage the hooked or hooped end 100 A of the biasing member 100 .
  • the biasing member 100 provides a tension or pulling force that urges the spaced pins 82 towards one another, such that the guidance features 110 / 112 are pressed into contact or engagement with each other.
  • the components of the pivoting assembly 80 are generally formed from a plastic material, such as ABS, POM, etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • the pivoting assembly 80 's construction further is designed to be substantially resistant to damage caused by tampering or vandalism, for example, if someone pulls on the carrier 30 or the lever 81 , such as in an attempt to tamper with or vandalize the dispenser assembly 14 , the pins can release or disengage to avoid damage to the carrier body and/or housing.
  • the lever 81 further can include a cross-bar or member 134 that extends between the side sections or portions 102 , e.g., to increase the stiffness/rigidity of the lever 81 and help prevent damage thereto if the dispenser assembly 10 is tampered with or vandalized.
  • the cross member 134 is optional, however, and can be omitted, as indicated in FIGS. 6 A- 6 D .
  • FIGS. 10 A- 10 B and 11 show perspective views of locking features 86 according to various aspect of the present disclosure.
  • the locking features 86 can include a body 136 with a base portion 138 that is connected to the cover 22 along the track 60 (e.g., by fasteners, such as screws, bolts, etc., or other suitable connection mechanism, e.g., adhesives).
  • the body 136 further can include a tab portion 140 that is connected to the base portion 138 by a flexible elongated portion or section 142 .
  • the tab portion 140 includes a surface or shoulder 144 that is configured to engage the pins 82 in their extended position 84 , and an opposing surface or face 146 that is slanted or angled to allow for loading of the carrier 30 within the tracks 60 .
  • the pins 82 may engage the opposing surface or face 146 to move/bend the flexible portion 142 and the tab 140 attached thereto to allow passage of the pins 82 and thus the carrier 30 to be loaded into its first dispensing position/configuration 66 .
  • the channels 65 defined in the guides 64 of the carrier 30 are sized, dimensioned, or otherwise configured to allow for passage of the tab portions 140 therethrough to allow for movement of the guides 64 over the locking features 86 .
  • the locking features 86 can be integrally formed within the tracks 60 , as indicated in FIG. 11 .
  • FIG. 11 shows that the locking features 86 can be positioned within a hole or opening 150 defined in a wall or portion 152 of the track 60 , and the elongated flexible portion 142 is formed with the wall 152 of the track 60 .
  • the locking features 86 further may be moveable into the opening 150 to allow the carrier 30 to be loaded or received within the tracks 60 , and further to allow the carrier 30 to be released from the track 60 if it is pulled or engaged, e.g., when someone attempts to tamper with or vandalize the dispenser assembly.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Unwinding Webs (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
  • Sheets, Magazines, And Separation Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a dispenser assembly for dispensing supplies of sheet material. The dispensing assembly can include a carrier supporting the supplies of sheet material and being moveable along a track between various dispensing positions. The dispenser assembly also can include a carrier pivoting assembly with a lever that engages one of the supplies of sheet material and rotates during dispensing thereof, as well as one or more biased pins connected to the lever and configured to engage locking features provided along the track to support the carrier in one of the dispensing positions. The biased pins further can be configured to retract with rotation of the lever such that they disengage the locking features so the carrier to moves along the track to different dispensing position. Other aspects also are described.

Description

    CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • The present application is a continuation of previously filed, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/496,868, filed Oct. 8, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/709,265, filed Dec. 10, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,142,419, issued on Oct. 12, 2021, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/778,570, filed on Dec. 12, 2018.
  • INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
  • The specifications and figures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/496,868, filed Oct. 8, 2021, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/709,265, filed Dec. 10, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,142,419, issued on Oct. 12, 2021, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/778,570, filed on Dec. 12, 2018, are specifically incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in their entireties.
  • TECHNICAL FIELD
  • In one aspect, the present disclosure generally relates to dispensing assemblies and, more particularly, to dispensing assemblies for flexible sheet materials, such as paper products, e.g., tissue paper, paper towels, etc. Other aspects are also described.
  • BACKGROUND
  • Sheet material dispensers (e.g., for paper products, such as tissue, paper towels, etc.) are commonly used throughout various facilities, including restrooms or other area in hospitals, airports, bus stations, schools, etc. Such dispensers can include multiple supplies of sheet material and can be configured so that after one of the supplies of sheet material has been substantially exhausted or dispensed, an additional supply of the supplies of sheet material can be made available for further dispensing. Unfortunately, attempts are often made to improperly access or steal the supplies of sheet material from these dispensers or to otherwise tamper with or vandalize the dispensers. This can lead to increased paper supply costs and, in many instances, result in significant damage to the dispensers or components thereof. Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a sheet material dispensing assembly that allows for selective dispensing of one or more supplies of sheet material, while also being substantially resistant to damage due to tampering or vandalism. The present disclosure addresses these and other related, and unrelated, problems or issues in the art.
  • SUMMARY
  • Briefly described, in one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a sheet material dispensing assembly for dispensing a plurality of supplies of sheet material. The sheet material dispensing assembly can include a dispenser housing that supports the supplies of sheet material and that defines one or more compartments configured to receive and house the supplies of sheet material. The supplies of sheet material can include rolled paper products, such as rolled tissue paper, paper towel rolls, etc. or other suitable supplies of sheet material.
  • The dispenser housing also includes one or more discharge openings sized, dimensioned, or otherwise configured to provide or otherwise allow access to one or more of the plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material (e.g., access that allows users to pull or otherwise engage sheet material from one of the supplies for dispensing thereof).
  • The dispenser assembly further includes one or more brackets or carriers having a plurality of spindles or supports (e.g., a pair of spaced apart spindles) that receive and support a corresponding supply of sheet material within the one or more compartments of the dispenser housing.
  • In one aspect, the dispenser assembly can include a plurality of carriers that can be arranged in a spaced and/or segmented series along the dispenser housing.
  • The carriers generally are received along tracks (e.g., slots, grooves, or similar features) defined along the dispenser housing, with the carriers being moveable from a first dispensing position that provides access to a first supply of sheet material, but generally reduces, inhibits, or prevents access to a second supply of sheet material, and a second dispensing position that can provide access to the second supply of sheet material.
  • For example, when the first supply of sheet material has been substantially dispensed, the carriers can shift/move along the carrier tracks from the first dispensing position to the second dispensing position to allow user access to the second supply of rolled sheet material through the discharge opening(s) in the dispenser housing.
  • In addition, the dispenser assembly includes a carrier pivoting assembly rotatably connected to its carrier. Each pivoting assembly has a pivotable lever or frame moveably mounted to its associated carrier, enabling rotation or pivoting movement, and configured to engage one of the supplies of sheet material, e.g., the first supply supported by the carrier, such that the frame rotates/pivots as the first supply of sheet material is dispensed. For example, as the diameter of the first supply of sheet material diminishes or reduces due to dispensing thereof, the lever engaging the first supply of sheet material pivots, rotates, or otherwise moves therewith.
  • The pivoting assembly also includes pins or rods that are extensible and retractable from corresponding openings in the carriers. In a first or extended position, the pins can engage corresponding locking features (e.g., hooks, protrusions, tabs, recesses, etc.) arranged along the carrier tracks to hold and/or support the carriers in the first dispensing position. The pins further can be retractable to a second or retracted position upon rotation of the frame, in which the pins can move out of engagement with the locking features to cause or otherwise allow the carrier to move along the carrier tracks under its weight and the weight of the second/next supply of sheet material, to move the second supply of sheet material into a position for dispensing.
  • The pins can be connected to one end of the lever, and the pins can be positioned so as to be substantially coaxial in a spaced, opposing orientation or relationship and further can be biased by one or more biasing members (e.g., a tension spring or other suitable biasing member) that are attached to opposing ends of the pins.
  • The pins also can include one or more guidance features configured to engage or interact with one or more corresponding guidance features along the frame to guide or allow movement of the pins between their extended and retracted positions as the lever rotates or pivots. Thus, as the frame rotate in response to dispensing of the first supply of sheet material, the guidance features of the frame interact with the corresponding guidance features of the pins to cause or otherwise allow the pins to be retracted under the urging of the biasing member to the retracted position in which the pins no longer engage the corresponding locking features defined along the tracks, allowing the carrier to move to its second position for dispensing the second supply of sheet material.
  • In one construction, the guidance features can include corresponding guide surfaces provided along at least a portion of the frame and a body of the pins. The guide surfaces can be angled and generally complementary to one another such that as the lever is rotated the guide surfaces move in relation to each other to enable the biased pins to retract under the urging of the biasing member.
  • In an alternative construction, the guidance features can include a helical groove or slot defined along the body of the pins and a corresponding tab or other projecting portion configured to be received within the helical groove provided on at least a portion of the frame.
  • The lever or frame further can include a roller rotatably attached thereto that is configured to engage the first supply of sheet material, with the carrier in that first dispensing position.
  • In one construction, the locking features can include a base portion that is secured to the dispenser housing along the track, a flexible elongated portion connected to the base portion at one end of the elongated portion, and a tab portion connected to the elongated portion at an opposing end of the elongated portion. The tab portion can be configured to engage a corresponding biased pin of the plurality of biased pins.
  • In an alternative construction, the locking features can include a flexible elongated portion that is integrally formed with a wall of the track and positioned within an opening defined there include, and a tab potion connected to the elongated portion that is configured to engage a corresponding biased pin.
  • The track can include a track offset that moves the second supply of sheet material towards the one or more discharge openings when the carrier is moved towards and/or to the second dispensing position.
  • The dispenser housing can include a cover and the track can be defined within the cover. In an alternative construction, the track can be defined in a separate component connected to or otherwise formed with the dispenser housing.
  • These and other advantages and aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments discussed herein. No attempt is made to show structural details of this disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the exemplary embodiments discussed herein and the various ways in which they may be practiced.
  • FIG. 1 shows a front view of a sheet material dispensing assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 show perspective views of the sheet material dispensing assembly according to FIG. 1 , with the housing of the dispenser assembly shown in dashed lines.
  • FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a pivoting assembly for the sheet material dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 , with its pins in an extended position.
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the pivoting assembly for the dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 , with the pins in a retracted position.
  • FIGS. 6A-6D show perspective views of the carrier moving between a first dispensing position and a second dispensing position.
  • FIG. 7 shows perspective and partial perspective views of the rotatable frame according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 8 shows a partial, perspective view of a pin according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a pin according to one additional aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 10A-10B show perspective views of locking features according to one aspect of the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of locking features according to one additional aspect of the present disclosure.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION
  • The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of embodiments of this disclosure. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, while still obtaining the beneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments described can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure and not in limitation thereof.
  • FIGS. 1-11 illustrate a sheet material dispenser assembly 10 that facilitates selective dispensing of sheet materials from a plurality of supplies of sheet material 12 received therein, according to various aspects of the present disclosure. The supplies 12 of sheet material include rolled paper products, such as perforated or unperforated tissue rolls, paper towel rolls, etc., though any suitable sheet material supplies and/or products can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • As shown in FIG. 1 , the dispenser assembly 10 includes a dispenser housing 14 having one or more chambers or compartments 16 defined therein for receiving a plurality of supplies 12 of sheet material. The dispenser housing 14 also can include a base or back portion 20 that can be configured to facilitate mounting of the dispensing assembly 10 to a surface, such as to a wall or other suitable support (e.g., along a wall in a bathroom, a portion of a bathroom stall, or other suitable location). A moveable cover 22 can be coupled to the base 20, including being detachably coupled (e.g., by snap fittings, fasteners, etc.) and/or can be rotatably mounted to the base 20, such as by one or more hinges 23 to facilitate opening and closing of the cover 22, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 . The cover 22 is moveable to an open position or can be removed, as needed, to facilitate access to the chamber 16 within the interior of the dispenser housing for loading and unloading of the new and exhausted supplies 12 of sheet material within the chamber 16. The dispenser housing 14 generally can be formed from plastic materials, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS), polyoxymethylene (“POM”), etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, etc., or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 1-3 further show the dispenser housing 14 having one or more openings, apertures, or discharges 24, e.g., defined in or otherwise along the cover 22, that are sized, dimensioned, or configured to provide access to the supplies of rolled sheet material 12 supported in the dispenser housing 14. Other types of openings and locations also can be provided. To dispense the sheet material from the dispenser assembly 10, users can engage and pull a portion of sheet material (e.g., a hanging tab) from the supplies 12 through the opening(s) 24 and then tear off a selected or desired amount thereof. The sheet material can be perforated or precut to facilitate tearing or detachment of selected amounts thereof, though the sheet material can be substantially continuous, i.e., not perforated or precut, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the dispenser assembly 10 also can include a cutting mechanism, e.g., a jagged edge or blade(s), disposed along the opening(s) 24 to facilitate tearing or detachment of selected amounts of sheet material.
  • As additionally illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 , the dispenser assembly 10 includes one or more carriers or brackets 30 configured to support the plurality of supplies 12 of sheet material within the dispenser housing 14. FIGS. 1-3 show that the dispenser assembly 10 includes at least a first carrier 32 and a second carrier 34, e.g., that are arranged in spaced series within the dispenser housing 14, though any number of carriers 30 can be used, e.g., one or more than two, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • FIGS. 4-5 show perspective views of the carriers 30 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 4-5 , each carrier 30 has a pair of spaced spindle holders 36 including a first, lower spindle holder 36A and a second, upper spindle holder 36B, and a pair of opposing side rails or supports 38 and 40 connected to and supporting the spindle holders 36A/36B. The carriers 30 also include a cross-support or member 42 extending between and connecting the opposing side rails 38 and 40, e.g., to provide a generally H-shaped configuration, though other shapes or configurations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The carriers 30 can hold multiple supplies of sheet material and generally are formed from a plastic material, such as ABS, POM, etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
  • The first, lower spindle holder 36A generally is disposed at, or substantially adjacent to, a first, lower end 38A/40A of the side rails 38/40, while the second, upper spindle holder 36B is disposed at, or substantially adjacent to, a second, upper end 38B/40B of the side rails 38/40. Each of the spindle holders 36 rotatably supports a respective supply of sheet material 12. Typically, each supply of sheet material 12 includes a prescribed amount of sheet material wrapped about a spindle 44 receives a corresponding spindle holder 36. For example, each spindle 44 can have a bore 46 defined therethrough that is sized, dimensioned, and/or configured to receive a spindle holder 36, such that the spindle 44 and its wrapped supply of sheet material are supported by and rotatable with the spindle holder 36 (FIGS. 4-5 ).
  • FIGS. 4-5 show at least one of the side rails 38/40 of the carriers 30 including movable or removable portions or sections 48 that can help facilitate the loading/unloading of the supplies of sheet material 18 to and from the spindle holders 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the side rail 38 includes portions 48 that are pivotally or rotatably mounted to the carrier 30, e.g., by one or more hinges 50 or other suitable rotatable/pivotable connection mechanisms. The pivoting portions 48 further will be connected to the spindle holders 36 by a snap fitting, frictional fit, or other releasable connection. As a result, the pivoting portions 48 can be disconnected from the spindle holders 36 and pivoted/rotated to facilitate loading of new supplies of rolled sheet material and unloading of dispensed/depleted supplies of rolled sheet materials. In alternative constructions, the opposing side rail 40 can include one or more pivoting or rotating portions 48 that facilitate loading/unloading of the supplies 12 of sheet material. Other constructions also are possible, e.g., one or more of the side rails 38/40 can include portions that are completely removable from the spindle holders 36 to facilitate loading/unloading of supplies of sheet material.
  • Turning again to FIGS. 2-3 , in the illustrated embodiment, the dispenser assembly 10 further includes tracks 60, e.g., including slots, channels, etc., defined within the cover 22 and/or the dispenser housing 14. These tracks 60 generally are configured to receive and guide movement of the carriers 30 between first and second positions. In alternative constructions, the tracks 60 can be defined in separate members or parts 62 that can be attached to one or more components of the dispenser housing, e.g., the base 20, cover 22, or other suitable component or combinations thereof (FIGS. 6A-6D). As further indicated in FIGS. 2-5 , the side portions 38/40 of the carriers 30 can have guides or projections 64 that are received within and ride along the tracks 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the guides 64 have a generally cylindrical shape with a channel or notch 65 defined therethrough, though other shapes or configurations, e.g., spherical, cubic, etc., are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The channel 65 generally allows for movement of the guides 64 over locking features 86 provided along the tracks 60, as discussed further below.
  • FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate movement of the carrier 30 between various positions. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, the carriers 30 are moveable along the tracks 60 from a first dispensing position shown at 66 (FIG. 6A-B), which can provide access to a first, lower supply 12A of sheet material 12 and can substantially reduce, prevent, or inhibit access to a second, upper supply 12B of sheet material, to a second dispensing position, shown at 68 (FIG. 6C-D), which provides access to the second, upper supply 12B of sheet material. For example, in the first dispensing position 66, users can access and engage the first, lower supply 12A of sheet material through the opening 24 for dispensing thereof, but the seconded, upper supply 12B of sheet material can be substantially obstructed by the cover 22, such that access to the second, upper supply 12B of sheet material is substantially reduced, prevented, or inhibited. When the first supply of sheet material 12A is substantially dispensed as shown in FIG. 6B, the carrier 30 shifts or moves along the track 60 from the first dispensing position 66 toward the second dispensing position 66, as shown in FIG. 6C, to provide of otherwise allow access to the second, upper supply 12B of sheet material through the opening 24 for dispensing thereof.
  • In the illustrated construction, the tracks 60 are shown to have an offset or angled portion 70 at a lower end 70A. This offset portion 70 is configured to move or shift the carrier 30 as it moves along the tracks, such that the second, upper supply 12B of sheet material is moved toward and positioned sufficiently adjacent to the opening(s) 24 to facilitate access thereto in the second dispensing position 68 (FIGS. 4-5 ). The offset 70 further can help to reduce the overall dimensions (e.g., the height) or size footprint of the dispenser housing 14. The tracks 60 can have any suitable construction or configuration, however, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, e.g., in alternatives construction, the tracks 60 can be generally straight from end to end, as indicated in FIGS. 6A-6D.
  • The dispenser assembly 10 also includes a carrier pivoting assembly 80 associated with each carrier 30 (e.g., in FIG. 1 , a pair of carriers 30 are shown, each with a carrier pivoting assembly 80 associated therewith). As shown in FIGS. 1-7 , the pivoting assembly 80 includes pivotable or rotatable levers or frames 81 moveably mounted to each carrier 30 and configured to engage the first supply 12A of sheet material. For example, as indicated in FIGS. 6A-6D, the lever 81 rotates/pivots as a first, lower supply 12A of sheet material is dispensed, i.e., as the diameter of the supply 12A is diminished or reduced during such dispensing.
  • The pivoting assembly 80 additionally includes a pair of pins or rods 82 attached to or otherwise in communication with the lever 81, for operatively connecting the lever 81 to the carrier 30 (FIGS. 1-5, 7-9, and 10A-10B). FIGS. 8 and 9 show perspective views of the pins 82 according to various aspects of the present disclosures. As illustrated, the pins 82 have a generally cylindrical body 83, and move laterally with rotation/pivoting of the lever 81 so as to move between an extended position 84, in which the pins 82 engage corresponding locking features 86 (e.g., hooks, protrusions, tabs, recesses, etc.) arranged along the tracks 60 to hold/support the carriers 30 in the first dispensing position 66, and a retracted position 88, in which the pins 82 are moved out of engagement with the locking features 86 to enable the carrier 30 to move along the tracks 60 to the second dispensing position 68, as generally shown in FIGS. 4-5 and 10A-10B. Accordingly, as the lever 81 rotates due to the reduction in the diameter of the first or lower supply 12A of sheet material during dispensing, the pins 82 are caused to move from their extended positions 84 toward their retracted positions 88, and when the first supply 12A of sheet material is substantially dispensed/exhausted to the desired extent, the pins 82 disengage the locking features 86 to allow the carrier 30 to move/slide, under its own weight (and/or together with that of the upper supply roll 12B), along the track 60 from the first dispensing position 66 to the second dispensing position 68.
  • As further shown in FIGS. 1-5 , the cross-support 42 of carrier 30 generally will include one or more walls, flanges, or partitions 90, or other suitable portions, that facilitate attachment of the pins 82 to the carrier 30. These walls or flanges 90 each can have openings or passages 92 defined therethrough for receiving at least a portion (e.g., an end portion 82B) of the pins 82, with an opposite portion of each pin 82 (e.g., an end portion 82A) further being received within a corresponding opening or passage 94 defined through the sidewall 38/40 of the carrier to couple each pin 82 and the pivoting assembly 80 to the carrier 30. The pins 82 thus are arranged to be on a coaxial, in a spaced-part, opposing relationship/orientation, as FIGS. 5 and 7 generally indicate.
  • The pins 82 additionally are moveable into and out from their corresponding openings 94 in the side walls 38/40 of the carrier 30 upon rotation of the lever 81. FIGS. 4-5, 7-9 and 10A-10B show the pins 82 including locating tabs 96 projecting from the body 83 of each pins 82 and disposed along, or substantially adjacent the first end portion 82A of the pins 82. The locating tabs 96 can include a generally rectangular body 97, though other shapes are possible, and will be configured to be received within complementary slots or grooves 98 defined in the side rails 38/40. The slots 98 are in communication with the openings 94 to help locate and guide the pins 82 in and out from the openings 94 (FIGS. 4, 5, 10A, and 10B). The pins 82 further are connected to one or more biasing members 100, such as one or more tension springs or other suitable biasing members. The pins 80 are urged by the biasing member(s) 100 toward their retracted positions 88. The walls 90 further can engage at least a portion of the pins 82 (e.g., end portion 82B) to help to reduce, prevent, or inhibit bending, buckling, or other unwanted side-to-side movement of the pins 82.
  • FIGS. 1-7 further illustrate that the lever 81 includes side portions or sections 102 rotatably, pivotally, or otherwise movably coupled to the pins 82 at a first end 102A thereof and also coupled to and supporting a roller 104 at a second end 90B thereof. The roller 104 is rotatably coupled to the side portions 102 of the lever, e.g., by bearings, bushings, etc., and is configured to engage the first, lower supply 12A of sheet material (FIG. 2 ), such that the roller 92 rotates as the first, lower supply 12A of sheet material is rotated during dispensing (e.g., when a user engages a pulls sheet material from the supply 12A).
  • In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7-8 , the pins 82 include one or more guidance features 110 that engage or otherwise interact with corresponding guidance features 112 arranged along the lever 81 to guide or allow movement of the pins 82 between their extended 84 and retracted 88 positions as the lever 81 is pivoted/rotated during dispensing of the first, lower supply 12A of sheet material. Thus, as the lever 81 rotates or pivots about the pins 82, with the dispensing of the first, lower supply 12A of sheet material, the guidance features 110/112 interact to cause or allow the pins 82 to be retracted under the urging or force of the biasing member 100 to move the pins toward their retracted position 88 and disengage from the locking features 86 defined along the track 60. This in turn enables the carrier 30 to move (e.g., under its own weight and the weight of the second supply 12B) the second supply 12B to the second position 68 for dispensing sheets therefrom.
  • In the construction illustrated in FIG. 7 , the guidance features 110 include slanted or angled guide surfaces or faces 114 defined along the body 83 of the pins 82, and the guidance features 112 include corresponding, complementary guide surfaces 116 defined along the first end 102A of the side portions 102. These guide surfaces 114/116 generally are shaped, sized, or otherwise configured to guide movement of the pins 82 (e.g., under urging of the biasing member) towards their retracted position 88. As the lever 81 is rotated/pivoted, the guide surfaces 116 of the pins 82 are moved along or otherwise in relation the guide surfaces 114 of the lever 81 to enabling the pins 82 to be moved under urging of the biasing member 100 toward their retracted position 88.
  • In one alternative construction, such as shown in FIG. 9 , the guidance features 110/112 can include a helical slot or recess 115 defined along each pin, and a corresponding tab or other suitable protruding portion (not shown) along the end 102A of side portion 102 of the lever 81. This helical slot 115 can be selectively engaged by the tab to allow the pins to move under the force of the biasing member from the extended or retracted position to the second position.
  • Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the body 83 of the pins 82 includes a generally cylindrical sidewall 120 with one or more reduced area or recessed portions 122 defined therein that form or otherwise define the guide surfaces 114. The second end 102A of the side portion 102 of the lever 81 also can include a cylindrical projection 124, with an end portion 124A that is angled or offset to define the guide surfaces 116. The cylindrical projection 124 also can include a passage/hole 126 in which the body 83 of a pin 82 can be at least partially received. For example, the recessed area 122 of the body 83 of each pins 82 is received within a hole or passage 126 to enable the lever 81 to be rotatable about the pins 82.
  • As also illustrated in FIG. 7 , the pins 82 generally are attached to the lever 81 in an aligned, substantially coaxial, spaced apart, opposing relationship/orientation. The pins 82 further are operatively connected and biased towards each other by the biasing member 100. In one construction, as shown in FIG. 7 , the second end portion 82B of each pin 82 includes a hook 130 that engages a hooped or hooked end 100A of the biasing member 100. In an additional or alternative construction, as shown in FIG. 9 , the second ends 82B of the pins 82 can have an opening or passage 132 defined therethrough and configured to engage the hooked or hooped end 100A of the biasing member 100. The biasing member 100 provides a tension or pulling force that urges the spaced pins 82 towards one another, such that the guidance features 110/112 are pressed into contact or engagement with each other.
  • The components of the pivoting assembly 80, e.g., the frame 81 and the pins 82, are generally formed from a plastic material, such as ABS, POM, etc., though other suitable materials, e.g., other polymeric, synthetic, composite, metallic materials, or combinations thereof, can be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The pivoting assembly 80's construction further is designed to be substantially resistant to damage caused by tampering or vandalism, for example, if someone pulls on the carrier 30 or the lever 81, such as in an attempt to tamper with or vandalize the dispenser assembly 14, the pins can release or disengage to avoid damage to the carrier body and/or housing. The lever 81 further can include a cross-bar or member 134 that extends between the side sections or portions 102, e.g., to increase the stiffness/rigidity of the lever 81 and help prevent damage thereto if the dispenser assembly 10 is tampered with or vandalized. The cross member 134 is optional, however, and can be omitted, as indicated in FIGS. 6A-6D.
  • FIGS. 10A-10B and 11 show perspective views of locking features 86 according to various aspect of the present disclosure. In one construction, as shown in FIGS. 10A-B, the locking features 86 can include a body 136 with a base portion 138 that is connected to the cover 22 along the track 60 (e.g., by fasteners, such as screws, bolts, etc., or other suitable connection mechanism, e.g., adhesives). The body 136 further can include a tab portion 140 that is connected to the base portion 138 by a flexible elongated portion or section 142. The tab portion 140 includes a surface or shoulder 144 that is configured to engage the pins 82 in their extended position 84, and an opposing surface or face 146 that is slanted or angled to allow for loading of the carrier 30 within the tracks 60. For example, when the carrier 30 is loaded and within the tracks 60, the pins 82 may engage the opposing surface or face 146 to move/bend the flexible portion 142 and the tab 140 attached thereto to allow passage of the pins 82 and thus the carrier 30 to be loaded into its first dispensing position/configuration 66. Furthermore, the channels 65 defined in the guides 64 of the carrier 30 are sized, dimensioned, or otherwise configured to allow for passage of the tab portions 140 therethrough to allow for movement of the guides 64 over the locking features 86.
  • In an additional or alternative constructions, the locking features 86 can be integrally formed within the tracks 60, as indicated in FIG. 11 . For example, FIG. 11 shows that the locking features 86 can be positioned within a hole or opening 150 defined in a wall or portion 152 of the track 60, and the elongated flexible portion 142 is formed with the wall 152 of the track 60. The locking features 86 further may be moveable into the opening 150 to allow the carrier 30 to be loaded or received within the tracks 60, and further to allow the carrier 30 to be released from the track 60 if it is pulled or engaged, e.g., when someone attempts to tamper with or vandalize the dispenser assembly.
  • The foregoing description generally illustrates and describes various embodiments of the present invention. It will, however, be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the above-discussed construction of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed herein, and that it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as being illustrative, and not to be taken in a limiting sense. Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be construed to cover various modifications, combinations, additions, alterations, etc., above and to the above-described embodiments, which shall be considered to be within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, various features and characteristics of the present invention as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiments of the invention, and numerous variations, modifications, and additions further can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:
1. A dispenser comprising:
at least one carrier configured to receive and support a first supply of sheet material and a second supply of sheet material; and
a carrier pivoting assembly connected to the at least one carrier and configured to move the at least one carrier between a first dispensing position for dispensing sheet material from the first supply of sheet material and a second dispensing position for dispensing sheet material from the second supply of sheet material;
wherein the carrier pivoting assembly comprises:
a lever biased toward engagement with the first supply of sheet material when the at least one carrier is in the first dispensing position and toward engagement with the second supply of sheet material when the at least one carrier is in the second dispensing position; and
one or more pins coupled to the lever and configured to engage at least one locking feature located proximate the at least one carrier, the one or more pins configured to be retractable at least partially into the lever so as to disengage from the locking features when an amount of sheet material of the first supply of sheet material has been dispensed sufficient to enable the at least one carrier to move between the first dispensing position to the second dispensing position for dispensing of the second supply of sheet material when a selected amount of sheet material of the first supply of sheet material has been dispensed from the first supply of sheet material.
2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the carrier pivoting assembly further comprises at least one biasing member connected to the one or more pins so as to bias the one or more pins toward engagement with the at least one locking feature.
3. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the one or more pins each include a guidance feature configured to interact with a corresponding guidance feature of the lever such that the one or more pins are retracted and disengage from the locking features in response to rotation of the lever when a selected amount of sheet material of the first supply of sheet material or the second supply of sheet material has been dispensed.
4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein the guidance feature of one or more pins includes one or more guide surfaces defined along the one or more pins, wherein the lever comprises a cylindrical projection including a passage, and wherein the corresponding guidance feature of the lever includes one or more guide surfaces defined along the cylindrical projection of the lever and configured to engage the one or more guide surfaces of the one or more pins.
5. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the one or more guide surfaces of the one or more pins comprise angled surfaces, and wherein the one or more guide surfaces of the lever are configured to be complementary to the guide surfaces of the one or more pins such that as the lever is moved, the one or more guide surfaces of the one or more pins are moved in relation to the one or more guide surfaces of the lever to cause the one or more pins to retract.
6. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a dispenser housing, and a track extending along the dispenser housing and configured to guide the at least one carrier along the dispenser housing as the at least one carrier is moved between the first dispensing position and the second dispensing position.
7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the locking features include a flexible elongated portion extending along a portion of the track, and wherein a tab potion is connected to the elongated portion and is arranged to engage the at least one biased pin in the first dispensing position.
8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the lever comprises a roller configured to engage the first supply of sheet material when the carrier is in the first dispensing position.
9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one carrier comprises a carrier body having a plurality of spindles, each spindle configured to receive one of the first supply of sheet material or second supply of sheet material thereon.
10. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a dispenser housing including a discharge opening, a pivotable cover, and a track defined along the cover and along which the at least one carrier is moved between the first dispensing position and the second dispensing position; and wherein the track includes a track offset configured to guide at least one of the supplies of sheet material towards a discharge opening when the at least one carrier is moved along the track.
11. A dispenser, comprising:
a series of carriers, each having one or more spindles supporting a plurality of supplies of sheet material, each of the carriers moveable between a series of dispensing positions for dispensing sheet material from each of the supplies of sheet material; and
a carrier pivoting assembly connected to each of the carriers and including:
a lever coupled to a corresponding carrier and biased into engagement with at least one of the supplies of sheet material such that the lever moves during dispensing of the sheet material therefrom; and
one or more pins connected to the lever and configured to engage one or more corresponding locking features arranged for supporting the corresponding carrier in a dispensing position, each of the one or more pins including a guidance feature configured to engage a corresponding guidance feature defined along at least a portion of the lever;
wherein the one or more pins are caused to move to a retracted position with movement of the lever such that the one or more pins disengage from their corresponding locking features to enable the corresponding carrier to move between its dispensing positions.
12. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the one or more pins comprises a pair of opposing pins arranged on opposite sides of the lever, and further comprising at least one biasing member connected to each of the opposing pins and configured to bias the opposing pins toward their retracted position.
13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the guidance features of each of the opposing pins comprise angled guide surfaces defined therealong, and the corresponding guidance features of the lever comprise complementary guide surfaces defined along a portion of the lever so as to engage the guide surfaces of the opposing biased pins, and wherein as the lever is moved, the guide surfaces of the opposing pins are moved along one or more corresponding guide surfaces of the lever to enable the opposing pins to be retracting from the locking features by the at least one biasing member.
14. The dispenser of claim 11, further comprising a dispenser housing, and a track extending along the dispenser housing and configured to guide the at least one carrier along the dispenser housing as the at least one carrier is moved between its dispensing positions.
15. The dispenser of claim 14, wherein the locking features include a flexible elongated portion extending along a portion of the track, and wherein a tab potion is connected to the elongated portion and is arranged to engage the one or more pins when the carrier is supported in the dispensing position.
16. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the lever rotates about the one or more pins as sheet material is dispensed from the supply of sheet material.
17. A dispenser for selectively dispensing sheet materials, comprising:
at least one carrier having a carrier body including a plurality of spindles, each spindle configured to receive a supply of sheet material;
wherein the at least one carrier is configured to move between different dispensing positions for dispensing sheet material from a first supply of sheet material carried by a first one of the spindle and for dispensing sheet material from a second supply of sheet material carried by another of the spindles;
a lever configured to engage the first supply of sheet material when the at least one carrier in a first dispensing position, and with the second supply of sheet material when the at least one carrier is in the second dispensing position; and
at least one pin received within a passage defined along the lever, the at least one pin configured to engage one or more corresponding locking features arranged proximate the at least one carrier and configured to at least partially retain the at least one carrier in the first dispensing position;
wherein the at least one pin is configured to be at least partially retractable into the passage of the lever with movement of the lever sufficient to disengage from the one or more corresponding locking features when a selected amount of sheet material of the first supply of sheet material has been dispensed to enable the carrier to move to move from the first dispensing position to the second dispensing position for dispensing of the sheet material from the second supply of sheet material.
18. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the at least one pin includes a pair of pins each connected to an opposite end of the lever; and a biasing member connected to each pin of the pair of pins and configured to bias the pins toward retracted positions and disengage from the one or more locking features.
19. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the at least one carrier is configured to move along a track extending along a dispenser housing, and the locking features include a flexible elongated portion extending along a portion of the track, wherein a tab potion is connected to the elongated portion and is arranged to engage the at least one pin in the first dispensing position; and wherein the track includes a track offset that is configured to redirect the at least one carrier at an angle as the carrier is moved toward the second dispensing position.
20. The dispenser of claim 17, wherein the at least pin comprises at least one guidance feature defined therealong, and wherein the lever further includes guidance features defined along a portion thereof; and wherein as the lever is moved, the at least one guidance feature of the at least one pin moves a corresponding guide feature of the lever so as to cause the at least one pin to retract from the locking features.
US18/135,440 2018-12-12 2023-04-17 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material Active US12024380B2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US18/135,440 US12024380B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2023-04-17 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US18/733,021 US20240317523A1 (en) 2018-12-12 2024-06-04 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201862778570P 2018-12-12 2018-12-12
US16/709,265 US11142419B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2019-12-10 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US17/496,868 US11655117B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2021-10-08 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US18/135,440 US12024380B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2023-04-17 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US17/496,868 Continuation US11655117B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2021-10-08 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US18/733,021 Continuation US20240317523A1 (en) 2018-12-12 2024-06-04 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20230249932A1 true US20230249932A1 (en) 2023-08-10
US12024380B2 US12024380B2 (en) 2024-07-02

Family

ID=71072393

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/709,265 Active 2040-04-14 US11142419B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2019-12-10 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US17/496,868 Active US11655117B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2021-10-08 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US18/135,440 Active US12024380B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2023-04-17 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US18/733,021 Pending US20240317523A1 (en) 2018-12-12 2024-06-04 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Family Applications Before (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/709,265 Active 2040-04-14 US11142419B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2019-12-10 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US17/496,868 Active US11655117B2 (en) 2018-12-12 2021-10-08 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US18/733,021 Pending US20240317523A1 (en) 2018-12-12 2024-06-04 Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (4) US11142419B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3893708A4 (en)
CA (1) CA3122097A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2020123491A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US12114812B2 (en) 2019-01-02 2024-10-15 Valve Solutions, Inc. Dispensing and monitoring systems and methods

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11154166B2 (en) 2018-05-24 2021-10-26 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispenser for rolled sheet materials
US11246460B2 (en) 2018-11-28 2022-02-15 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Sheet material dispenser assembly for selectively dispensing sheet material from a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US11142419B2 (en) * 2018-12-12 2021-10-12 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
CN114727727A (en) * 2019-10-31 2022-07-08 金伯利-克拉克环球有限公司 Automatic falling distributor
US20220225847A1 (en) * 2021-01-21 2022-07-21 Alexandre TREMBLAY Dispensing unit for a bathroom

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11655117B2 (en) * 2018-12-12 2023-05-23 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Family Cites Families (177)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2299301A (en) 1940-10-29 1942-10-20 Thomas J Britt Automatic roll dispenser
US2549912A (en) 1947-04-21 1951-04-24 Lionel G Lindsay Supporting structure for a plurality of rolls
US2840319A (en) 1956-05-02 1958-06-24 J E Wade Storage and dispensing receptacle for rolled paper
US3010670A (en) 1958-08-19 1961-11-28 American Can Co Dispenser for toilet tissue rolls
US3007650A (en) 1959-01-12 1961-11-07 Crown Zellerbach Corp Two-roll towel dispensing cabinet
US3387902A (en) 1967-01-03 1968-06-11 Towlsaver Inc Dispenser for sequentially dispensing rolls of tissue and the like
US3572600A (en) 1968-02-09 1971-03-30 Georgia Pacific Corp Dispenser for rolls of flexible sheet material having structurally rigid internal supporting means
US3650487A (en) 1970-03-06 1972-03-21 Steiner American Corp Two-roll tissue dispenser
US3770222A (en) 1970-05-13 1973-11-06 Georgia Pacific Corp Dispenser for rolls of flexible sheet material having means for holding a roll in a reserve position
US3690580A (en) 1970-05-13 1972-09-12 Paul W Jespersen Dispenser for convention rolls of flexible sheet material
US3637276A (en) 1970-06-15 1972-01-25 Vaughan Mfg Co Dispenser
US3677485A (en) 1970-08-19 1972-07-18 Fleck Ind Inc Paper roll dispenser
US3754719A (en) 1971-04-26 1973-08-28 S Choy Roll paper dispensers
US3771739A (en) 1971-05-03 1973-11-13 Bobrick Corp Roll paper dispenser
US3698653A (en) 1971-05-05 1972-10-17 Tadasu Okamura Toilet paper roll holding device
US3700181A (en) 1971-06-24 1972-10-24 Mosinee Paper Corp Tissue dispensing mechanism
JPS52430B2 (en) 1972-12-29 1977-01-07
US3948454A (en) 1974-12-03 1976-04-06 Scott Paper Company Dispenser for multiple rolls of sheet material
US4165138A (en) 1976-11-15 1979-08-21 Mosinee Paper Company Dispenser cabinet for sheet material and transfer mechanism
US4113195A (en) 1976-11-24 1978-09-12 Manfred Sidley Dispensing device for web material in roll form
US4108389A (en) 1977-11-07 1978-08-22 Womack Rolla J Dispenser for a plurality of rolls of sheet material
US4143827A (en) 1978-05-22 1979-03-13 Towlsaver, Inc. Roll holder for mounting split-core rolls of tissue in a dispenser
US4307638A (en) 1978-05-22 1981-12-29 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Method of dispersing flexible sheet material
US4340195A (en) 1979-07-19 1982-07-20 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Dispenser for rolled flexible sheet material
US4260117A (en) 1979-11-15 1981-04-07 Towlsaver, Inc. Dual roll towel dispenser
US4285474A (en) 1980-03-27 1981-08-25 Perez Michael A Toilet paper dispenser with biasing means for restraining the unwinding of the paper
US4363454A (en) 1980-08-21 1982-12-14 Louis Mohar Tissue roll storage and dispenser apparatus
US4375874A (en) 1981-03-05 1983-03-08 Bradley Corporation Rolled tissue dispenser
US4422585A (en) 1981-09-21 1983-12-27 Alwin Manufacturing Company, Inc. Toilet paper dispenser with sliding mandrels
US4422584A (en) 1981-10-09 1983-12-27 Wisconsin Tissue Mills, Inc. Toilet paper dispenser with swinging mandrels
IL67028A (en) 1982-10-20 1986-03-31 Shpigelman David Dispensing device for cylindrical bodies,such as rolls of toilet paper and paper towels
US4552315A (en) 1983-01-13 1985-11-12 Maurice Granger Rolled web dispenser
US4487375A (en) 1983-02-16 1984-12-11 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Roll transfer mechanism for web material dispenser
US4564148A (en) 1984-06-25 1986-01-14 Wentworth Michael B Toilet paper dispensing system
GB8418832D0 (en) * 1984-07-24 1984-08-30 Dudley Ind Ltd Washroom devices
US4807823A (en) 1986-02-18 1989-02-28 Wyant & Company Limited/La Compagnie Wyant Limitee Bathroom tissue dispenser
US4765475A (en) 1986-12-11 1988-08-23 Kaysserian Kerry M Holder and dispenser for multiple rolls of tissue
US4796832A (en) 1987-03-02 1989-01-10 James River Ii, Inc. Dispenser for jumbo roll of toilet tissue
US4879150A (en) 1987-03-02 1989-11-07 James River Ii, Inc. Jumbo roll of toilet tissue
US4872601A (en) 1987-09-04 1989-10-10 Scott Paper Company Two large roll toilet tissue dispenser
US4830301A (en) 1987-12-22 1989-05-16 Miller Robert B Rolled toilet tissue holder and housing for extra roll
US4944466A (en) 1988-07-14 1990-07-31 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Flexible sheet material dispenser with automatic roll transferring mechanism
US4836462A (en) 1988-10-21 1989-06-06 Bruss Elroy A Toilet tissue dispenser
GB8918667D0 (en) 1989-08-16 1989-09-27 Wyant And Company Limited Two-roll bathroom tissue dispenser
US5000393A (en) 1989-09-22 1991-03-19 Rollar Corporation Dispenser for rolls of sheet material
ATE101791T1 (en) 1990-04-18 1994-03-15 Wyant & Co Ltd BATHROOM PAPER DISPENSER (WIDE ROLL).
US5271574A (en) 1991-08-28 1993-12-21 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Dispenser for flexible sheet material
CA2090776C (en) 1992-05-28 1999-10-12 Scott J. Collins Dispenser for multiple rolls of sheet material
US5265816A (en) 1992-08-07 1993-11-30 Fort Howard Corporation Double roll tissue dispenser with sliding door
GB2269361A (en) 1992-08-07 1994-02-09 Fort Howard Corp Successive dispensing from two sheet rolls
US5314131A (en) 1993-01-04 1994-05-24 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Apparatus for dispensing rolled flexible sheet material
US5370336A (en) 1993-06-04 1994-12-06 James River Paper Company, Inc. Dispenser apparatus for sequentially dispensing from coreless rolls of sheet material
US5449127A (en) 1993-12-14 1995-09-12 Davis; Robert T. Dispenser for rolls of sheet material
JPH07275161A (en) 1994-04-11 1995-10-24 Akira Hida Toilet paper holder for preventing mischief
US5558302A (en) 1995-02-07 1996-09-24 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Flexible sheet material dispenser with automatic roll transferring mechanism
CA2171491C (en) 1995-03-10 2005-09-27 John Michael Conner Dispensing apparatus
US5749538A (en) 1995-08-02 1998-05-12 Kimberly-Clark Corp. Gravity-operated dispensing apparatus
US5628474A (en) 1995-08-02 1997-05-13 Alwin Manufacturing Co. Spring biased automatic multi roll paper dispenser
US5669576A (en) 1995-08-10 1997-09-23 James River Corporation Of Virginia Apparatus for supporting coreless rolls in toilet tissue dispenser
FR2739545B1 (en) 1995-10-10 1997-12-26 Maurice Granger WIPING MATERIAL DISPENSER WITH DEVICE FOR LOADING A RESERVE ROLLER
US5645244A (en) 1996-03-05 1997-07-08 James River Corporation Of Virginia Dispenser apparatus for dispensing paper sheet material
IT1282396B1 (en) 1996-05-02 1998-03-20 Qts Srl MANUAL TAPPING PAPER CONTAINER-DISPENSER WITH RESERVE ROLL
JPH1014819A (en) 1996-07-09 1998-01-20 Tooyo:Kk Sheet roll holder
US6202956B1 (en) 1996-10-10 2001-03-20 Fort James Corporation Dispenser for dispensing toilet tissue from rolls
US5813624A (en) 1996-10-10 1998-09-29 Fort James Corporation Apparatus for dispensing toilet tissue from rolls
US5873542A (en) 1996-11-12 1999-02-23 Perrin Manufacturing Dispenser for feeding sheet material from sequential rolls
US5690299A (en) 1996-11-12 1997-11-25 Perrin Manufacturing Dispenser for feeding sheet material from sequential rolls
US6092759A (en) 1997-09-08 2000-07-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. System for dispensing coreless rolls of product
US5868335A (en) 1997-09-09 1999-02-09 Lebrun; Camil Tissue roll dispenser
US6082664A (en) 1997-11-20 2000-07-04 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Coreless roll product and adapter
FR2778902B1 (en) 1998-05-25 2000-06-30 Maurice Granger WIPER MATERIAL DISPENSING APPARATUS
US6138939A (en) 1998-08-17 2000-10-31 Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc. Coreless adapter for dispensers of cored rolls of material
US6152397A (en) 1998-10-30 2000-11-28 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Inc. Spacing member for a sheet material dispenser
US6315237B1 (en) 1999-02-17 2001-11-13 Darrell Hoerner Wall-mounted rolled material dispensing and storage
WO2000051481A1 (en) 1999-03-03 2000-09-08 Sca Hygiene Products Ab Dispenser for rolls of web-shaped material
US6702225B2 (en) 1999-04-30 2004-03-09 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Dispenser and tray for premoistened wipes
USD418705S (en) 1999-05-18 2000-01-11 Wakam Bonaventure J Toilet paper roll storage and dispenser
US6189828B1 (en) 1999-11-08 2001-02-20 Robert Reilly Sanitary paper roll dispenser
US6826991B1 (en) 1999-11-08 2004-12-07 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Web transfer mechanism for flexible sheet dispenser
US6382553B1 (en) 2000-10-31 2002-05-07 Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc. Stackable coreless roll carriage unit adapter for dispensers
US6491251B1 (en) 2000-03-09 2002-12-10 Bay West Paper Corporation Double core tissue roll, dispenser and method
US6364245B1 (en) 2000-03-28 2002-04-02 Alwin Manufacturing Co., Inc. Toilet roll dispenser for different diameter core rolls
US6409120B1 (en) 2000-03-29 2002-06-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Dispenser apparatus and method
US6328255B1 (en) 2000-06-05 2001-12-11 Fort James Corporation Method and apparatus for converting a toilet tissue roll dispenser from a concurrent-roll dispensing mode to a sequential-roll dispensing mode
US6290169B1 (en) 2000-06-13 2001-09-18 Linda Sue Hartley Free standing paper towel dispensing apparatus
US6736348B1 (en) 2000-06-28 2004-05-18 Georgia-Pacific Corporation Power transfer system apparatus
US6561378B1 (en) 2000-08-02 2003-05-13 Kimberly Clark Co Tissue dispensing apparatus
US6520372B2 (en) 2000-12-19 2003-02-18 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Folded sheet dispenser having an overfill prevention device
US6422503B1 (en) 2001-05-29 2002-07-23 Michele Renee Hoo Kong Toilet paper roll dispenser
US6607160B2 (en) 2001-07-30 2003-08-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide Easy loading dispenser
US6715637B1 (en) 2001-09-28 2004-04-06 Amando C. Ramos Combination storage/dispenser for hollow-cored paper roll
US6752349B2 (en) * 2001-12-20 2004-06-22 Fort James Corporation Support sled for rolls of absorbent sheet and dispenser incorporating same
US6527219B1 (en) 2002-02-15 2003-03-04 James A. Trecartin Toilet paper dispensing system
US7341170B2 (en) 2002-03-07 2008-03-11 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Operations Llc Apparatus and methods usable in connection with dispensing flexible sheet material from a roll
US6786448B2 (en) 2002-06-07 2004-09-07 Damian Arcilesi Fixed-spool toilet paper dispenser with removable outer bracket and method
US6915935B2 (en) 2002-07-02 2005-07-12 Arkady Portnoy Sheet dispensing system for rolled materials
US6758434B2 (en) 2002-07-03 2004-07-06 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Dispenser for multiple rolls of sheet material
US6959891B2 (en) 2002-07-03 2005-11-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Dispenser for multiple rolls of sheet material
US6736466B1 (en) 2002-08-27 2004-05-18 Steven R. Helland Paper towel dispensing apparatus
US6902134B2 (en) 2002-09-12 2005-06-07 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Dispenser for rolled paper
US6920999B2 (en) 2002-10-30 2005-07-26 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Folded sheet dispenser having an overfill prevention mechanism
US7374065B2 (en) 2002-10-30 2008-05-20 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Folded sheet dispenser having an overfill prevention mechanism
US7066423B2 (en) 2002-12-19 2006-06-27 Sca Hygiene Products Ab Solid rolls dispenser
US7168653B2 (en) 2003-01-09 2007-01-30 The Colman Group, Inc. Low cost roll dispenser
US7093737B2 (en) 2003-04-16 2006-08-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Container and cartridge for dispensing paper products
US7124911B2 (en) 2003-04-16 2006-10-24 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Container and cartridge for dispensing paper products
JP4527958B2 (en) 2003-10-20 2010-08-18 富士通株式会社 Liquid crystal display
US7083138B2 (en) 2004-01-29 2006-08-01 Bay West Paper Corporation Two roll paper web material dispenser
US7014140B2 (en) 2004-01-30 2006-03-21 Bay West Paper Corporation Three roll tissue dispenser
US7213782B2 (en) 2004-01-30 2007-05-08 Charles Agnew Osborne Intelligent dispensing system
US7232040B2 (en) 2004-03-26 2007-06-19 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Dispenser capable of dispensing sheet-like articles
US7275658B2 (en) 2004-03-26 2007-10-02 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Dispenser capable of dispensing sheet-like articles
US7219852B2 (en) 2004-08-18 2007-05-22 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Dispenser for multiple rolls of sheet material
US7287720B1 (en) 2005-03-18 2007-10-30 Marc Allegre Paper towel dispenser
US7500420B2 (en) 2005-04-25 2009-03-10 Perrin Manufacturing Company Paper towel dispenser apparatus
US7726515B2 (en) 2005-04-29 2010-06-01 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Decorative and disposable bath tissue dispenser
US7131609B1 (en) 2005-08-31 2006-11-07 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Dispenser for sheet material
BRPI0617071A2 (en) 2005-09-02 2011-07-12 Mds Global Holding Ltd container for the distribution of a substance
USD543745S1 (en) 2005-11-09 2007-06-05 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp Tissue roll dispenser
USD543402S1 (en) 2005-11-09 2007-05-29 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp Tissue roll dispenser
US7185843B1 (en) 2005-11-14 2007-03-06 Li Wayne W Two high bathroom tissue dispenser
US8464976B2 (en) 2005-12-14 2013-06-18 Sca Hygiene Products Ab Dispenser loading arrangement and method of loading a dispenser
MX2008015452A (en) 2006-06-06 2009-06-12 Buckeye Technologies Inc Versatile core size tissue dispenser.
US7527218B2 (en) 2006-07-03 2009-05-05 Aaron Brown Combination sanitary wipe and toilet tissue holder
US7460013B1 (en) 2006-08-14 2008-12-02 Charles Agnew Osborne Remotely actuated flood free zone valve
US7967235B2 (en) 2006-10-03 2011-06-28 Sca Tissue North America Llc Dispenser that automatically transfers rolls of absorbent material, method of reloading same, and rolls of absorbent material for use in same
WO2008042969A2 (en) 2006-10-03 2008-04-10 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp Easy load sheet product dispenser
RU2455916C2 (en) 2006-10-03 2012-07-20 Джорджия-Пэсифик Консьюмер Продактс Лп Automated dispenser for paper towels
US7841556B2 (en) 2006-11-21 2010-11-30 Wausau Paper Towel & Tissue, Llc System and method for dispensing paper towel
FR2910798B1 (en) 2006-12-27 2010-12-03 Georgia Pacific France ROLLER DISPENSER HAVING SIDE SIDE AND SLIDING HOPPER
DE102007022556A1 (en) 2007-05-14 2008-11-20 Wincor Nixdorf International Gmbh Optimized document management in self-service systems
ES2375249T3 (en) 2007-12-21 2012-02-28 Mds Global Holding Ltd. SUBSTANCE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.
US7861964B2 (en) 2008-03-18 2011-01-04 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp Apparatus for securing and dispensing sheet product
AT506716B1 (en) * 2008-05-05 2011-05-15 Hagleitner Hans Georg DONATION FOR PAPER
WO2010096408A1 (en) 2009-02-17 2010-08-26 Collins Design Inc. Reset linkage assembly for blocking shield of multi-roll paper dispenser
US8584982B2 (en) 2009-04-23 2013-11-19 Doyle W. Eakin Apparatus for covering rolled paper products and dispensing fragrance
US8616489B2 (en) 2009-05-08 2013-12-31 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp Sheet product dispenser
US8550396B2 (en) 2010-03-22 2013-10-08 William Anthony Marrs Toilet paper dispenser for covering wall-mounted pre-existing toilet paper roller and automating hands-free toilet paper extraction therefrom
US9635986B2 (en) 2010-11-03 2017-05-02 Solaris Paper, Inc. Spindle and adapter for roll paper product dispensers
US9861238B2 (en) 2010-11-03 2018-01-09 Solaris Paper, Inc. Spindle adapter for roll paper product dispensers
US9635985B2 (en) 2010-11-03 2017-05-02 Solaris Paper, Inc. Spindle for roll paper products
US10213070B2 (en) 2010-12-03 2019-02-26 Solaris Paper, Inc. Carriage assembly for sequential paper products dispensers
US8991647B2 (en) 2011-04-04 2015-03-31 Encore Industrial Supply, Llc Combination toilet paper dispenser, disinfecting station, and deodorizing station
US8800415B2 (en) 2011-04-06 2014-08-12 Solaris Paper, Inc. Transfer mechanism for sheet material dispenser
US9918598B2 (en) 2011-04-06 2018-03-20 Solaris Paper, Inc. Side-by-side tissue dispenser door restriction mechanism
US8800910B2 (en) 2011-04-28 2014-08-12 Ian Andrew Shepherd Roll-form toilet wipes and dispenser
US10610064B2 (en) 2011-06-08 2020-04-07 Valve Solutions, Inc. Electronic dispenser for flexible rolled sheet material
US9138110B2 (en) 2011-07-25 2015-09-22 Wausau Paper Towel & Tissue, Llc Tissue dispenser, method for dispensing tissue, and tissue dispenser insert
US9167941B2 (en) 2011-09-22 2015-10-27 Georgia-Pacific Consumer Products Lp Sheet product dispenser with auxiliary feed button
WO2014008938A1 (en) 2012-07-12 2014-01-16 Sca Hygiene Products Ab Sheet dispenser
AU2012389291B2 (en) 2012-09-06 2016-11-10 Essity Hygiene And Health Aktiebolag Dispenser for sheet products
CN104869880B (en) 2012-12-20 2018-04-20 Sca卫生用品公司 Distributor
US9756992B2 (en) 2013-03-15 2017-09-12 Vsi Import Solutions, Llc Electronic residential tissue dispenser
CA2857326C (en) 2013-07-31 2022-04-12 Op-Hygiene Ip Gmbh Dispenser shroud
US9648995B2 (en) 2013-09-13 2017-05-16 Wausau Paper Towel & Tissue, Llc Tissue dispenser and method for dispensing tissue
US10105020B2 (en) 2013-11-04 2018-10-23 Wausau Paper Towel & Tissue, Llc Dual roll paper towel dispenser
US9907441B2 (en) 2014-04-18 2018-03-06 Vsi Import Solutions, Llc Electronic residential tissue dispenser
US9238440B1 (en) 2014-08-07 2016-01-19 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Vehicle door including compartment for dispensable paper products
US20160120376A1 (en) 2014-10-30 2016-05-05 William Yates Massey, Jr. Sanitary dispensing apparatus
US20160353948A1 (en) 2015-06-02 2016-12-08 Lilia Zhu Zhiqian Zhu Towel/tissue holder and dispenser with refill indicator
US20160353947A1 (en) 2015-06-04 2016-12-08 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispenser for rolled sheet materials with motorized spindle
US11109722B2 (en) 2015-06-04 2021-09-07 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispenser for rolled sheet materials
US11344165B2 (en) 2015-06-04 2022-05-31 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Dispenser for rolled sheet materials with cutting system
US10441117B2 (en) 2015-06-04 2019-10-15 Valve Solutions, Inc. Electronic dispenser for flexible rolled sheet material
US10035674B2 (en) 2015-06-24 2018-07-31 William Tobias Sherrill Apparatus for protecting and dispensing paper products
US20160374522A1 (en) 2015-06-24 2016-12-29 William Tobias Sherrill Apparatus for protecting and dispensing paper products
MX2018008379A (en) 2016-01-06 2019-01-31 Essity Operations Wausau LLC A rolled media dispenser.
US20180170703A1 (en) 2016-12-20 2018-06-21 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Cutting system for a dispenser
CA3056233C (en) 2017-03-17 2021-11-09 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Monitoring system for dispenser
US10660485B2 (en) * 2017-10-09 2020-05-26 Gpcp Ip Holdings Llc Dual roll product dispenser with rotating refill carriage
US11071415B2 (en) 2018-01-15 2021-07-27 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispenser for rolled sheet materials with belt drive system
US10835086B2 (en) 2018-04-09 2020-11-17 Charles A. Osborne, JR. Sheet material transfer system/assembly for a dispenser
US20210113033A1 (en) 2018-05-24 2021-04-22 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Sheet material dispensing assembly with integrated gear clutch
US11154166B2 (en) 2018-05-24 2021-10-26 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispenser for rolled sheet materials
US11246460B2 (en) 2018-11-28 2022-02-15 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Sheet material dispenser assembly for selectively dispensing sheet material from a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
EP3905934A4 (en) 2019-01-02 2022-10-26 Charles Agnew Osborne Dispensing and monitoring systems and methods
US11478111B2 (en) 2019-06-14 2022-10-25 Valve Solutions, Inc. Loading and transfer system/assembly for sheet material dispensers

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11655117B2 (en) * 2018-12-12 2023-05-23 Charles Agnew Osborne, Jr. Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US12114812B2 (en) 2019-01-02 2024-10-15 Valve Solutions, Inc. Dispensing and monitoring systems and methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20240317523A1 (en) 2024-09-26
US20220024709A1 (en) 2022-01-27
EP3893708A4 (en) 2022-10-05
WO2020123491A1 (en) 2020-06-18
CA3122097A1 (en) 2020-06-18
US12024380B2 (en) 2024-07-02
US20200189869A1 (en) 2020-06-18
EP3893708A1 (en) 2021-10-20
US11142419B2 (en) 2021-10-12
US11655117B2 (en) 2023-05-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US12024380B2 (en) Dispensing assembly for selectively dispensing a plurality of supplies of rolled sheet material
US6138939A (en) Coreless adapter for dispensers of cored rolls of material
US5558302A (en) Flexible sheet material dispenser with automatic roll transferring mechanism
EP1791456B1 (en) Dispenser for multiple rolls of sheet material
US7866593B2 (en) Two roll drop front toilet tissue dispenser
US6082664A (en) Coreless roll product and adapter
US6655630B2 (en) Dispenser for premoistened wipes
US7422174B2 (en) Two roll paper web material dispenser
US6758434B2 (en) Dispenser for multiple rolls of sheet material
US8152021B2 (en) Paper towel cabinet with paper towel support bar
US11395567B2 (en) Automatic drop-down dispenser
US5601253A (en) Dispenser for rolled sheet material
US4362278A (en) Roll dispenser
US3329366A (en) Multiple paper roll dispenser
US20060065095A1 (en) Roll dispenser and storage product
US20200245823A1 (en) Tamper resistant latch for product dispensers
US20240156310A1 (en) Dispensing Device for Rolled Sheet Products
US11540676B2 (en) Dispenser for rolled sheet material
MXPA00004421A (en) Coreless roll product and adapter

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS

STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general

Free format text: PUBLICATIONS -- ISSUE FEE PAYMENT VERIFIED

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE